News

Torrance head-on crash that killed Downey man not caused by drugs or alcohol

By City News Service

Posted:
11/13/2012 06:32:17 AM PST

Updated:
11/13/2012 12:41:20 PM PST

TORRANCE - A crash that killed a 31-year-old Downey man in a head-on collision with another vehicle whose driver lost control and crossed the center divider in Torrance apparently was not caused by drugs or alcohol, the coroner's office said Monday.

The crash took place about 11:40 p.m. Saturday in the 2200 block of Artesia Boulevard, according to Torrance police Lt. Stephen D'anjou.

A vehicle driven by an unidentified 53-year-old man was heading west on Artesia Boulevard went out of control. It veered over the center divider and crashed into a car heading east, D'anjou said.

The driver of the eastbound vehicle, Gustavo Pizarro, was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the coroner's office.

The other driver was treated at the scene and transported to a local hospital where he was listed in good condition, according to D'anjou.

Lt. Fred Corral of the county coroner's office said that investigators did not believe drugs or alcohol were involved in the collision, but tests had been ordered. It normally takes about six weeks for such tests to be finished.

The crash shut down traffic on Artesia Boulevard near the scene for about four hours, D'anjou said. He asked anyone with information on the crash to call Torrance police at 310-618-5557.